although, under current law, it can buy a gun. ( laughter ). and the heroes-- folks, the heroes were not just republicans. four brave democrats joined in. including alaska senator mark begich. who celebrated his vote to kill background checks saying, "it's dangerous to do any type of policy in an emotional moment." yes, true leadership is waiting until the moment has passed. ( laughter ). that's why i've always believed that we should have waited until 1950 to declare war on japan. ( laughter ) you know, when things have cooled off, but no, old speed racer over here just could not wait to take away hirohito's guns. never again. and i especially want to salute senate majority leader wayne lapierre. he delivered a huge victory for a misunderstood minority, the 8% of americans who are against universal background checks. now, some say anyone who would oppose keeping dwuns out of the handed of murderers and the mentally ill are outside of the mainstream, perhaps even psychologically unsound themselves, but we'll never know. because thanks to 45 sen